Emmy Awards 2026: Heated Rivalry left out while Stranger Things faces major snub

The 78th Emmy Awards will feature top TV contenders, major snubs and changes, with Heated Rivalry notably missing too

The 78th Emmy Awards are set to bring together some of television’s biggest stars, with The Pitt, Hacks, Beef and Pluribus among the leading contenders at this year’s ceremony.

The Emmy Awards will recognise programmes across drama, comedy and limited or anthology series categories. The Pitt, which won best drama last year, returns with eight individual acting nominations, including a nomination for star Noah Wyle. Other nominated dramas include Pluribus, Slow Horses, The Diplomat and A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms.

In comedy, Hacks is considered a strong favourite following its fifth and final season. Jean Smart and Hannah Einbinder are both competing for acting awards, with Smart seeking an eighth Emmy overall.

The second season of Beef is also among the major contenders in the limited or anthology series categories, with Carey Mulligan and Oscar Isaac receiving acting nominations.

One of the biggest talking points is the absence of Heated Rivalry. The popular Canadian ice hockey romance, starring Connor Storrie and Hudson Williams, is not eligible for the US Emmys because it lacks the required US financial and broadcast involvement. The series will instead be eligible for the International Emmys in November.

Other notable omissions include Stranger Things, which received seven nominations limited to technical categories, while the final season of Euphoria earned only one acting nomination for Zendaya.

The ceremony will be hosted by Mariska Hargitay and will air live from Los Angeles on Monday. US viewers can watch on NBC and Peacock.